Smart working and wellbeing
17 April 2025
Once you are used to smart working, it could be hard sometimes to take a break and go back to a different routine. The risk is that you are always connected, pushing hard to work more.
Whilst remote working gives you total flexibility on your working hours schedule and activities, it’s also important not to over do it and dedicate some time to your wellbeing, including physical and mental health.
Here are a few tips that can help focus on your wellbeing while working from home.
Regular breaks
Take regular breaks, they help stay focused to get things done. But they also allow you to have an overall picture of what you are working on.
Our brain needs a break to process and retain information and because it naturally drops attention during a long time period focusing on a single task. Like our body, the brain needs time to rest and recharge to work well, so allow yourself regular breaks during your working day, even if you are working from home.
Refresh your workspace
Fresh air oxygenates the environment and its power is incredible. Make sure you open the window often to refresh your house and your workspace. The more time you spend in a room, the more often it’ll need fresh air.
Opening the window helps get rid of stale air and all those indoor air pollutants, increases concentration and reduces condensation. During nice days it will also bring in the sunshine, which will benefit our health and mood.
Exercise
Especially during the lockdown we have to spend most of the time indoors and our daily routine has considerably changed. But this should not be an excuse to start a sedentary lifestyle, as our body still needs exercise- now more than ever!
Not a fan of the gym and workout in general? No worries. Try some gentle stretching during the day. You can do it in your living room or on a chair. It will improve your mobility keeping your body awake.
If your house is on multiple floors, use the stairs as many times as possible. During your breaks, stand up, stretch your legs and walk in your house, go for a walk in your courtyard, car park or garden for the luckiest.
You don’t need to count steps, but the more you do, the better.
If you are a more active person, then try some yoga or even some workout. There are plenty of free videos online that you can use a guide. You won’t regret it.
Exercise recharges you, making you stronger and healthier, reducing the risk of diseases. But above all it also helps our mental health: when doing physical exercise our body releases endorphins, which trigger positive feelings in the body, improving our mood.
Healthy routine
Create a healthy routine to go through this lockdown period.
Start each morning with a nice nourishing breakfast, dedicate time to meals with your households. Avoid snacking at any time, but if you have to, stick to healthy snacks such as dried fruits and fresh fruits.
Especially when you work remotely, avoid caffeine, opt for fresh water instead.
Switch off all your devices before bed time, as blue light won’t help you sleep.
If you find it difficult getting some good rest, try to set up an alarm each night to remind you when it’s time to go to bed.
Self care
Self-isolation can bring lots of negative feelings. Exercise your mind to positive thinking and practice self-care. Attitude matters! Be gentle with your-self, allow yourself time to adjust and process these trying circumstances and stay positive. Negativity won’t solve or change anything. Positivity on the contrary, helps your mind, generates good vibes for you and all people around you!
If you fancy trying something new, you can find many free apps to guide you through meditation; you would be surprised to see how much mindfulness helps.
When you are working but can’t focus on your task, try some music to stimulate your concentration. Put your headphones on and switch everything else off. You can find many playlists available on Spotify and YouTube.
Keep track of your wellbeing and make sure you dedicate some time to yourself, as it’s essential to keep going and overcome these trying times.
You are not alone in this, everybody is living this situation. Be gentle with yourself and keep in touch with friends and family on a daily basis; talking to someone, sharing doubts and laughs can be the best therapy!
